Physical Environment

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July 10, 2018

Let’s Talk About Our Physical Environment

Our physical environment is comprised of the buildings, transportation (roads, public/private transit, bike lanes and sidewalks), energy systems (hydro, heat/cool & water), open space (parks and recreation) and farm lands that make up and support our communities. Our physical environment is a social determinant of health and plays an important role in our health and well-being. “A healthy built physical environment is an outcome of our local commitment to evidence-informed community planning practices”, states Tanis Brown, Registered Nurse and Health Equity Coordinator.

What makes up a healthy physical environment?

A healthy physical environment considers:

Neighbourhood Design – complete, compact and connected communities

Housing – design, quality and affordability

Food Systems – all steps from seed to waste should ensure the accessibility of safe, nutritious and tasty food

Transportation Networks – safe, affordable, accessible to all levels of mobility, and prioritizes active transportation options like walking, cycling and public transit

Community Consultation – the opportunities and capacity for community to speak and act on those issues that concern them

Why is our physical environment important?

The environment that we live in has an impact on our educational options, our jobs and our social support. A healthy built environment can contribute to increasing our physical activity; improving our mental well-being and promoting access to safe and nutritious food. It also contributes to decreasing heart & lung disease and our risk of injuries.